Whale Watch Cruise in Kaikoura

4.5 / 5
382 reviews
10K+ booked
Whale Watch Kaikoura
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  • Whale Watch Kaikoura is New Zealand’s ultimate whale watching experience that's available all-year round
  • Kaikoura is 2.5-hour scenic drive away from Christchurch with beautiful countryside views and is rated one of the best whale watching spots in the world
  • Get up close up with giant sperm whales, the largest toothed predators
  • An impressive 95% success rate means that you are guaranteed an 80% refund if your tour does not spot a whale!
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Package type

Whale Watch Kaikoura

Time slot

8:30

10:30

11:15

14:00

7:45

13:15

What to expect

Go on a scenic 2.5-hour drive north of Christchurch and enjoy breathtaking rural views of North Canterbury on your way to Kaikoura — one of the best whale watching spots in the world.

Arrive at the port, hop into a sailboat, and cruise around Kaikoura for an almost guaranteed whale sighting. In fact, this whale watching tour has a 95% success rate and, in the very rare case that you will not see a whale on the trip, you will get an 80% refund.

Make sure to keep your camera handy for when the mighty giant sperm whale reveals itself. Take plenty of photos from the boat, which allows you to get really close to the marine animals, and enjoy the ultimate whale watching experience!

Whale watching Kaikoura
Travel to Kaikoura for a guaranteed giant sperm whale sighting
Kaikoura whales
Get up close to the mighty mammals on this immersive adventure
Kaikoura whale watching season
Learn about the majestic marine animals from your English-speaking guide
Kaikoura things to do
Bring home beautiful photos of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat
Kaikoura whale watch boat
Kaikoura whale watch boat
Kaikoura whale watch boat
Explore the Pacific Ocean onboard these catamarans looking for Whales
Dusky Dolphins jumping out of water kaikoura whale watch
Dusky Dolphins are amongst some of the species you may see on this Whale Watch Cruise
waters of Kaikoura
Marvel at the majestic sight of whales breaching in the waters of Kaikoura
knowledgeable guides providing insights
knowledgeable guides providing insights
knowledgeable guides providing insights
Benefit from the expertise of knowledgeable guides providing insights into the marine ecosystem
coastal scenery
Enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and rugged landscapes surrounding Kaikoura during the cruise
witness the beauty of whales
Kaikoura offers year-round opportunities to witness the beauty of whales and other marine life
eco-friendly whale watching
eco-friendly whale watching
eco-friendly whale watching
Participate in eco-friendly whale watching, promoting the conservation of these incredible marine creatures
gentle giants
Get up close and personal with the gentle giants of the ocean in their natural habitat
creating memories that last a lifetime
Cherish encounters with these magnificent marine creatures, creating memories that last a lifetime
fantastic photo opportunities
fantastic photo opportunities
fantastic photo opportunities
Kaikoura's whale watch provides fantastic photo opportunities with the picturesque coastal backdrop
optimal whale watching experiences
Relax in comfort on purpose-built vessels designed for optimal whale-watching experiences
perfect activity for families
It is a perfect activity for families, creating memories while enjoying the wonders of the ocean together
Learn about the different whale species
Learn about the different whale species
Learn about the different whale species
Learn about the different whale species and their behaviors during the informative tour
informative tour
Capture breath-taking moments as you witness these magnificent creatures' sheer size and power

Good to know

  • Before your trip, please check the latest weather forecast on the operator’s website, as conditions can change quickly and updates will be posted online to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience

VIP Captain’s Cabin

  • Capacity is limited to 12 passengers
  • Priority boarding and transport
  • Business class seating
  • Seats are angled outwards to maximize views through the large windows
  • The cabin is air conditioned
  • Water fountain provided
  • A large screen displays our award-winning marine wildlife animations
  • A full tour narration is provided
  • Access to all other passenger areas on the vessel
  • Locally made food box and cold drinks
  • An exclusive viewing area on the top deck

Reviews

4.5 / 5
Fantastic
382 reviews
Services offered
4.6
Value for money
4.5
Quality of facility
4.7
Safety measures
4.8
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Review for: Whale Watch Kaikoura

I recently took a whale watch cruise in Kaikoura, New Zealand, and it was fantastic. The staff were great, and we were lucky to see whales three times! The stunning coastline made it even better. And we also watch thousand over of Dophins ! Highly recommend!

Helpful
Review for: 카이코우라 고래 와칭

Hehe, it was so much fun ㅠㅠ I really like whales, so I got to see it up close. If you want to see the whales up close, choose a boat, or if you want to see the whales in their entirety, choose a helicopter. But after being on the bow, it moves towards the whale like a speedboat, and it's just like riding an amusement ride. It's so much fun🥹👍🏻 I think I saw the whale two or three times. I glanced at the tail and body, and it was disappointing that the whale didn't jump as high as I expected, but it was an unfamiliar experience :) There were people who got seasick because the boat was bouncing up and down so much.

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Review for: Whale Watch Kaikoura Cruise A

exchange a pass at the office for boarding the bus to the port and the ferry. during the cruise, nice explanation about the marine. can observe it from a distance, nice and fun.

Helpful
Review for: Whale Watch Kaikoura

seamless experience changing the klook voucher for tickets! was pretty excited till the boat started moving... it was such a bumpy ride finding the whales 🥲🥲🥲 felt sooooo sea sick throughout, despite eating medicine. there was a couple of ppl puking into paper bags provided by the staff too, not just me. managed to see ard 2-3 whales but couldn't enjoy myself at all.

Helpful
Review for: 카이코우라 고래 와칭 크루즈 A

Personally, I like natural scenery more than animals, so it wasn't a great course, but I recommend it to those who, unlike me, really want to see whales. I've seen a whale's tail a couple of times, and they say you're lucky if you see the tail. The tail itself is said to be 4-5 meters long, but it doesn't look very big because you see it from a distance. (Just looking at the sea is nice, but it's better not to expect too much.) I didn't get sick because I took motion sickness medication, but I saw one person who suffered from motion sickness. It is recommended that you take motion sickness medication beforehand! When you go out to sea, it's quite cold and the wind is very strong. (It doesn't matter if you're on board) I didn't wear sunglasses, but there were a lot of people wearing sunglasses. I couldn't understand because I don't speak English, but I thought the guide was interesting. I especially liked the video that was shown on the TV.

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Review for: Whale Watch Kaikoura

amazing whale watching experience . from reception to drop of , everything was perfect . the crew was also good

Helpful
Review for: Whale Watch Kaikoura

A very memorable experience for us in New Zealand. the voucher is easy to redeem. will definitely recommend to others

Helpful
Review for: Whale Watch Kaikoura · 13:15

We were lucky to see 2 sperm whales. It was awesome. The vessel ride was windy and strong waves (we were given heads up prior if we want to cancel or change to other date), please prepare motion sickness pill. It’s expensive to buy from the gift shop. Next we would opt for heli ride to see whale from aerial view.

Helpful
Review for: Whale Watch Kaikoura

witnessed 3 sperm whales, a pod of dolphins and seal pups. gosh, we indeed have such great luck doing our whale watching today

Helpful
Review for: Whale Watch Kaikoura

A very well run operation. The departure point had amazing views. We sighted 2 whales with the help of very knowledgeable crew.

Helpful

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